Call to
Order/Invocation
The
Town Council of the Town of Belhaven met in regular session
on Monday, October 1, 2001 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers
at Town Hall. Dr. Charles O. Boyette, Mayor, called the
meeting to order with the following Council members present:
George R. Ebron, Jr., Mayor Pro Tem, Cynthia M. Heath, James
B. Hodges and Linda E. Wilkerson. Councilman Albert Baker
was not present. Town Manager Tim M. Johnson, Town Attorney
Keith B. Mason and Town Clerk Marie J. Adams were also present.
Mayor Boyette gave the invocation.
Approval of Minutes
- September 17, 2001
Mayor Boyette announced that the minutes of the September
17, 2001 meeting were open for review and approval. There
being no corrections to the minutes, Councilman Hodges
made the motion to adopt the September 17, 2001 regular
session minutes. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion
which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.
Mid East Commission
Annual Report - Mr. Bob Paciocco, Executive Director
Mayor Boyette recognized Mr. Bob Paciocco, the Executive
Director of Mid East Commission. Mr. Paciocco stated that
this report would be his last official report to the Town
Council as he would be retiring soon. Mr. Paciocco briefly
reviewed the following information.
(Insert)
Mr. Paciocco stated that
Councilmen Baker and Ebron are both on the Mid East Commission
Board and thanked them for their service. Town Manager
Tim Johnson stated that Mr. Paciocco had Mr. Tim Ware,
Assistant Executive Director attending the meeting also.
The Council welcomed Mr. Ware to the meeting.
Mayor Boyette stated that
Mr. Paciocco had served as Executive Director since 1984
and wished him well in his retirement. Town Manager Johnson
presented Mr. Paciocco with a Town of Belhaven Centennial
Book, Mugs and lapel pins. Mr. Paciocco expressed his
appreciation for the gift.
2001/2002 Budget
Amendment #1
Mayor Boyette stated that the Council needed to adopt
the budget amendment which was necessary due to the library
building project not complete and the additional interest
earned on the monies. Mayor Boyette read the motion as
follows:
Increase revenue account
#10-399-000 (Fund Balance Appropriated) from $131,600
to $351,359;
Increase revenue account #10-329-002 (Library Construction
Interest) from $0 to $917
Increase revenue account #10-336-000 (Donations &
Contributions) from $0 to $106,324
Increase expenditure account #10-690-0084 (Library Construction)
from $0 to $327,000
Councilman Ebron made
the motion to approve the above budget amendment. Councilman
Hodges seconded the motion which carried unanimously,
4 to 0.
Beaufort County Recreation Committee - Appointment
Mayor Boyette stated that at the September 17, 2001 meeting
the town council had tabled the appointment to the Beaufort
County Recreation Committee to give time to see if Recreation
Director Freddy "Sport" Sawyer, could serve
in that position. Mayor Boyette stated that Recreation
Director sawyer had agreed to serve. Mayor Boyette asked
for a motion. Councilman Hodges made the motion to appoint
Freddie "Sport" Sawyer, Jr. as Belhaven's representative
to the Beaufort County Recreation Committee. Councilman
Ebron seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4
to 0. Councilman Ebron questioned the term of appointment.
Town Manager Johnson stated that the term was either for
two or four years.
John A. Wilkinson
Property - Friends of JAW Request - Location of Additional
Driveway
Mayor Boyette stated that the Friends of JAW had requested
to be on the agenda following "stop work" requested
by the Town due to the location of an additional driveway
(road) entering the east side of the property. Mayor Boyette
stated that the driveway was cut on town property, so
therefore, the work was halted until representatives from
both parties could meet and come to a property line agreement.
Mayor Boyette recognized Mr. James Lupton, representing
Friends of JAW. Mr. Lupton stated that the "Friends"
wanted to access their property on the east side so they
could access the kitchen and disability ramp.
Town Manager Johnson stated
that the temporary Post Office was located on Town property
immediately to the east side of the JAW property. Town
Manager Johnson explained that the Post Office was located
at this site on a temporary basis as the town acquired
the property through FEMA when the school's old gymnasium
was condemned and torn down. Mr. Johnson elaborated further
by stating that one of the conditions of the property
was that no permanent structures be built on the property.
Town Manager Johnson stated that town administration hopes
that the Post Office can permanently be located on its
present site, if so, a one way drive would be necessary
from the east property drive to the west. Mr. Johnson
stated that any changes in road ways/drives in that area
should be reviewed carefully as not to congest the area
in hopes to keep the Post Office at it's present location.
Mr. Lupton stated that
after reviewing the area with Town Manager Johnson JAW
would like an easement from the Town for JAW to build
an entrance to the JAW on the east side of their property
on the west side of the Post Office. Councilman Hodges
made a motion for the town to have Attorney Mason draw
up an easement for the location of this drive based on
Town Johnson's recommendation and for Friends of JAW to
have the Town property repaired so that it may easily
be mowed before releasing the easement. Councilwoman Wilkerson
seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.
Town
Manager's Report
Town Manager Johnson reported briefly on the following:
Mayor Boyette is one of fourteen Mayors featured in the
League of Municipalities Southern City, serving as Mayor
for 25 or more years;
Water Plant bids were opened Tuesday, September 25 and
will bring recommendations back at the next meeting on
October 15; the "Well" portion of the project
will have to be rebid as enough bids were not received
- the project should be underway by November-December
and complete within 12 - 14 months;
announced that he would not be present at the next meeting
as he would be attending the League of Municipalities
conference.
Mayor
Boyette made the following statements: with the new water
system and the new Wastewater Treatment Facility the town
is on the forefront in their infrastructure - ready for
growth.
Council
Comments
Councilwoman Wilkerson who had been out of town for several
weeks, due to surgery, was pleased to see the progress
of the new library and reaffirmed the building as an asset
to the downtown area.
Public
Comments
Mayor Boyette recognized the following who spoke briefly:
Mr. Marion Dilday, resident 672 Water Street, who stated
that the water storage tank, behind public works on Lee
Street, needed painting. Town Manager Johnson stated that
the 75,000 gallon water tank behind the fire department
on Haslin Street will be removed and the tank Mr. Dilday
referenced will be sandblasted and painted through the
Water Treatment Plant construction;
Mr. Dilday also requested that the Town of Belhaven encourage
a small motel/hotel to locate in the Belhaven area as
it could be utilized for those hunting and fishing, etc.
Mayor Boyette stated that the Beaufort County Economic
Development Commission is looking into a hotel/motel for
Belhaven.
Mr.
Terry Sparrow, resident 952 East Main Street, requested
that the disability parking area at the Community House
be marked more appropriately as the parking space is misused;
also announced that the Belhaven/Pantego Rotary was sponsoring
a fish fry this Friday in front of Belhaven Bait with
proceeds benefiting the local scout troops.
Mrs. Cindy Ross, resident 939 Latham Street, requested
that a copy of the town's budget be available in the public
library as the County's budget is and it would make it
more available for the public to review - following discussion,
the consensus of the Council was to make the budget available
in the library; Mrs. Ross stated that she had contacted
the League of Municipalities to obtain the Belhaven Town
Manager's salary and they did not have that information;
Town Manager Johnson stated that was public information
and could be obtained from the Municipal Building;
Mrs. Ross asked if the Council had considered utilizing
the JAW Building to house the Police Department, Town
Manager Johnson stated that the Council had reviewed prior
to Friends of JAW taking ownership and decided that the
building would not be cost efficient - Mrs. Ross suggested
that the building be rented now that renovations have
been made - Mr. James Lupton, representing Friends of
JAW, stated that for security reasons it would not be
feasible to rent to the Police Department.
Mrs.
Teresa VanStaalduinen, resident of 759 East Main Street,
who stated that copy of the budget in the library would
be helpful to the citizens as she paid for copies of two
years budgets; asked what were the plans for the old Belhaven
Fish & Oyster Property. Mayor Boyette stated that
Beaufort County Economic Development had some interest
in the property for possible future development. Mrs.
VanStaalduinen stated that the property should remain
for use by the public, as the town had no property for
access to the water - she suggested that a committee be
formed to find a proper use for this property.
Mr.
Roy O'Neal, resident of Tooly Street and business owner
on the corner of Main and Allen Streets, stated that he
was still concerned with the traffic on Hwy 264 by-pass
and the amount of walking traffic; Mayor Boyette stated
that the bike path grant would need to be reapplied for
and that an alternative route to the shopping center would
help alleviate the amount of traffic. Councilwoman Wilkerson
stated that when applying for the bike path grant that
lighting for the area should be included. Mr. O'Neal asked
that something be done with the flooding of the corner
of Main and Allen Streets.
Ms.
Del Stutzman, resident of 380 Lamont Street and member
of the Chamber of Commerce, stated that the chamber had
an open forum recently and had few in attendance and would
be responsible for trying to locate businesses here such
as motel, etc. She also stated that some type of sign
was needed on the by-pass to lure travelers downtown.
Town Manager Johnson suggested that the sign in the Ransomville
Community (Hwy 99) which may lure traffic from the Bayview
Ferry, should be trimmed around to make the sign more
visible.
Mrs.
Deb Sparrow, resident 952 East Main Street, who questioned
the town's intentions for the former Tarkington property,
which the town owns. Town Manager Johnson stated that
the Municipal Building may be expanded possibly to house
the police department.
Mr.
Chuck Latham, non resident, asked why the town was in
the real estate business and stated that there were properties
on Main Street beside the Perdue Building which they may
consider purchasing. Mayor Boyette stated that the Town
was not in the real estate business but had purchased
the former Belhaven Fish & Oyster property in hopes
that with the demolition and clean up its sale may enhance
the downtown for the betterment of the community.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilwoman Heath made
the motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded
the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.
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